A blurb in a recent Warner Pacific University newsletter stirred up fond memories for 1976 alum Paul Jones, who keeps a framed photo of himself and President Gerald Ford on the desk in his home office.
It was nearly 50 years ago that Ford gave the commencement speech at WPU (then Warner Pacific College).
“The photo of shaking the President’s hand was something that the school provided for all the graduates that day,” Jones said. “(It is) a cherished memory and keepsake, indeed.”
He couldn’t recall the words the president spoke, but he remembers the feelings he had — “It was such a swirl of joy and excitement.”
Jones felt honored to celebrate the day with family and friends in the presence of Ford, Sen. Mark Hatfield and Rep. Edith Green. Especially considering the graduating class consisted of 84 people.
“While it was small in number, it was a significant day for each one of those graduating,” Jones said.
He got emotional when he recently read a copy of the speech WPU sent him at his request.
“It was so meaningful to get a copy of the speech and read it once again,” Jones said. “I was moved to tears as he expressed his heart and faith in the Lord as he sought to lead our country back to its foundations of faith, pioneering spirit, and creativity for the good of all persons.”
Jones found Ford’s speech at once prophetic and encouraging.
“I find encouragement in his words, ‘My vision of America’s third century is one of an era of achievement rather than apathy, of fostering the ennobling and transcendental qualities of the individual spirit rather than building huge, new bureaucracies,’” Jones said.
Jones, a retired pastor, believes this at this point, “the vision calls for even greater resolve as we face this world’s uncertainties. It is a call to prepare each generation with a deep-rooted trust in the Lord, who gifts each person with creativity, power, and love to serve with integrity and honor.”
Jones was able to share some of his own gifts that day when he performed with the choir.
“I recall with joy being in the choir that day, singing the powerful arrangement of ‘A Mighty Fortress Is Our God’ under the direction of Dr. Thomas Miller,” Jones said. “And then to realize it was also something that President Ford mentioned as he began his speech.”
While Ford gave his speech before most of today’s traditional students were born, Jones
believes his words are still relevant today.
Ford spoke about the “new spirit of competition, new reservoirs of enthusiasm, new responsiveness to the humanitarian needs of others, and regenerated pride in personal independence” and of the challenges.
“Let’s keep our eyes, our trust, on the Lord alone,” Jones said. “Yes, it is possible to be a man (or woman) of faith and integrity in positions of great authority and power. So let us steward our gifts wisely, seeking to serve and build up one another in love. Let us be a people of great hope!”